Isabella “Belle” Boyd, born on May 9, 1844, became a famous Confederate spy at age 17 during the Civil War.
She was known by some as the “Cleopatra of Secession”, Boyd‘s espionage career began after she shot a Union soldier for assaulting her mother.
Utilizing her feminine charm and society’s underestimate of women, she successfully gathered Union secrets for Confederate Generals Jackson and Beauregard.
Despite being arrested six times and exiled twice, Boyd’s daring exploits secured key Confederate victories.
Post-war, she married two Union officers and penned a successful memoir detailing her daring experiences.
After her second marriage ended, she married a younger actor and returned to the stage.
She died during a performance in 1900 and her childhood home is now a museum.
This audacious woman defied convention and played a pivotal role in the Civil War, leaving an indelible mark on history.
Here are some of the most famous quotes by Belle Boyd that I hope you will like.
Best Belle Boyd Quotes
I only wanted to help my people. ~ Belle Boyd.
What a jolly thing military surveillance is! ~ Belle Boyd.
Fortune has played me a sad trick by letting me live on and on. ~ Belle Boyd.
I thank God that I can say on my deathbed that I am a virtuous woman. ~ Belle Boyd.
Politically I did not like Mr. Lincoln, for in him I saw the destroyer. ~ Belle Boyd.
As long as it served his purpose, Mr. Lincoln boldly advocated the right of Secession. ~ Belle Boyd.
The secession of the Southern States, individually or in the aggregate, was the certain consequence of Mr. Lincoln’s election. ~ Belle Boyd.
Famous Belle Boyd Quotes
There are those who maintain that in this world women have no right to interfere in the affairs of state, in politics, in plots and counterplots. Others that are who, more chivalrous, are willing to admit that women have as much right to act, think, and speak as men. ~ Belle Boyd.
I do not set myself up as an advocate of the woman’s right doctrine, but would rather appear in the character of a quiet lady expressing her sentiments, not so much to the public as to her immediate friends. ~ Belle Boyd.
A true woman always loves a real soldier. ~ Belle Boyd.
If it is a crime to love the South, its cause and its President, then I am a criminal. I would rather lie down in this prison and die than leave it owing allegiance to a government such as yours. ~ Belle Boyd.
Top Belle Boyd Quotes
I firmly believe that in this fiery ordeal, in this suffering, misery, and woe, the South is but undergoing a purification by fire and steel that will, in good time, and by God’s decree, work out her own independence. ~ Belle Boyd.
Meanwhile, my residence within the Federal lines, and my acquaintance with so many of the officers, the origin of which I have already mentioned, enabled me to gain much important information as to the position and designs of the enemy. ~ Belle Boyd.
Just previous to the birth of my little son, my mind gave way and my child was born in the asylum for the insane at Stockton, Cal. My boy was buried there. ~ Belle Boyd.
My memoirs were written, and a portion of them already in the hands of the publishers, when the startling news came which has thrilled all Europe and filled her inhabitants with horror – the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. ~ Belle Boyd.
So these were the 15 top quotes about Belle Boyd.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Dorothy Hodgkin quotes and Aisha Tyler quotes.
